Lighthouses are structures that have been built since the twelfth century for ships to navigate. They act as navigational aids by warning the naval ships of dangerous areas. Lighthouses today are not used as much as they were used in the past. Some tall buildings are also used as light towers for various other purposes.
Also see: Tallest Buildings in The World
Tallest lighthouses in the world
Today, lighthouse and light towers are places for you to go to and enjoy the view. Here are the twelve tallest lighthouses in the world, and along with their heights, they offer spectacular views of the beautiful seas and buildings nearby. Not only this, but you can also see the flashes these active lighthouses emit if you’re anywhere near.
1. Jeddah Light Tower, Saudi Arabia
This Saudi Arabian tower is the tallest on the world and is used as a control room for the Jeddah city port and Harbor. Standing at 436 feet, this tower is the tallest light tower in the world. Made is concrete and steel, this building has a balcony on the top which gives one breathtaking views. This structure on the the north side of the Seaport Entrance was constructed in 1990 and is standing strong ever since.
2. Perry Peace Memorial Tower, United States of America
This tower is a part of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and has been constructed in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. This tower is the tallest in North America, is a commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie and is a symbol of the peace between the United States, Canada, and Britain. Constructed in 1936, this tower is about 352 feet tall.
Also see: Tallest Statues in the World
3. Yokohama Marine Tower, Japan
With a height of 348 feet, it is the tallest traditional light tower in Japan. A part of the Yokohama Centenary Memorial, this light tower is located on the Yokohama Inner Harbour in Japan. Visitors can climb up to the observation deck and see the Mount Fuji in all its glory. Initially, the flashlights used by the lighthouse were read and green, but now white light is used.
4. Palacio Barolo, Argentina
At 328 feet, Palacio Barolo comes fourth on this list. Even though it is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the lighthouse can be seen from as far as Uruguay. Built in 1923, this lighthouse is located in the neighborhood of Moserrat In 1997, Palacio Barolo was declared a national historic monument.
5. Statue of Liberty, United States of America
The Statue of Liberty, New York City, United States features at the right place with a height of 305 feet. Designed by the French Sculptor Fréderic Auguste Bartholdi, and having a its metal framework constructed by Gustave Eiffel, this tower was made in parts in France, before being imported to the US where it was assembled. This robed statue of Libertas, the Roman goddess of Liberty, was gifted by the French to the Americans. It was the tallest lighthouse at the time of its construction in 1886.
6. Île Virge Lighthouse, France
This lighthouse in Finisterè, France has a height of 271, and is the tallest traditional lighthouse in the world. This stone lighthouse is made of bricks of granite and is standing strong since it’s constructio completes in 1902. It has undergone several renovations, and is now an automated lighthouse, but is still manned. The lighthouse has replaced an older one, which started operation in 1845, and was in use until it’s construction. The island housing the lighthouse is open to visitors from April to September.
7. The Lighthouse of Genoa, Italy
Called ‘La Lanterna’ in Italian, this beautiful tower is 253 feet tall. It is biggest lighthouse in Italy, and is located in the Genoese Province. It is one of the oldest lighthouses, built centuries back in the 12th century. This stone lighthouse has also undergone redevelopment extensively various times, the major ones being in 1995 and 2004.
8. Pointe dr Barfleur Light, France
In the French province of Normandy is a beautiful place called Barfleur and in the Manche section of this place exists this century-old lighthouse. Although its construction began in 1775, it was lit for the first time only in 1835. Called the ‘Phare de Gatteville’ in French, this lighthouse is made of granite. If you are one of those who love history, then you must visit this place as it was converted to a lighthouse museum in 1997 and entertains history lovers ever since.
9. Lesnoy Mole Rear Range Light, Russia
This lighthouse with red and white markings is an active lighthouse located in the city of St. Petersburg in Russia. It is the tallest lighthouse in the whole of Russia and is made of metal unlike various other lighthouses. If you are able to find this lighthouse from any area in St. Petersburg, you should know that it still works and guides ships into the St. Petersburg’s commercial harbour.
10. Mulantao Lighthouse, China
This Chinese lighthouse in the Hainan region is one of the biggest marine lighthouses in China. This tower was built in 1995, and stands tall with a height of 237 feet. And this lighthouse is active even today. Not only this, this tall tower is also called the Hainan head light, and standing on the furthest land in Baishi area, it emits flashes every fifteen seconds.
11. Baishamen Lighthouse, China
This lighthouse is also in the Hainan province of China, although it is located on the Haikou island. Standing at 236 feet, this triangular cylindrical lighthouse is sure to amaze you with its four-storeyed hexagonal base. First lit in 2001, it flashes white light every six seconds This lighthouse sends flashes as far as thirty kilometres.
12. Storozhenskiy Light, Russia
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This is second Russian lighthouse on this list of the twelve tallest. Located on the Lake Ladoga, in the Leningrad Oblast. This lakeside lighthouse also has red and white markings as it’s Russian Counterpart, Lesnoy Mole Rear Range Light. First constructed on 1907, it has a balcony and lantern. Visitors can easily visit the lighthouse by an arrangement with the keeper.
Lighthouses have been, and are still, an important part of naval navigation around the world. This lighthouses are symbols of naval histories, and make for amazing visits, for both travellers and historians alike.